Antônio Carlos. UFC.
The winner of the third season of TUF Brazil, Antônio Carlos Jr. is doing great in the UFC. Riding the momentum of two consecutive wins in the middleweight division, he will be looking to add to that against American Erik Spicely come June 3rd in Rio de Janeiro.
“The expectation is very good for this fight,” Antônio Carlos told Graciemag. “I think he has a very similar game to mine, a BJJ game, which is where I feel the most comfortable. All I want now is to achieve a good sequence of wins in the organization to really get where I want to go, which is the top of the division.”
The 26-year-old from the state of Bahia has been living in the U.S. for two years, sharpening his skills at American Top Team, and feels confident about extending his successful phase, kicking off 2017 in much the same way he wrapped up 2016. “I always try to evolve in the points where I think I still make mistakes, to improve with each fight and show people that I’m evolving as a fighter,” he said. “I think last year was one of a lot of growth, and certainly this year will be one of many wins.”
Antônio Carlos’s last fight in his home country took place in 2014, when he beat his heavyweight competition in TUF Brazil. “I’m super happy to go back to fight in Brazil,” he said. “I know I will have the whole crowd on my side, and many relatives and friends will be present. This gives me extra energy. Besides, I’m on a card featuring Anderson Silva and José Aldo, who was my training partner at the time I trained at Nova União — a great, very talented guy. Anderson is the biggest idol Brazil has ever had in MMA. He is the greatest of all time. I’ve never fought on the same card as him, so I’m very happy for that too. This is a promising card. UFC 212 will be, God willing, all wins for Brazil and joy for the Brazilian people.”
UFC 212
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 3, 2017
José Aldo vs. Max Holloway
Anderson Silva vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Cláudia Gadelha vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
Erick Silva vs. Yancy Medeiros
Léo Santos vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Johnny Eduardo vs. Mathew Lopez
Marco Beltrán vs. Deiveson Alcântara
Antônio Carlos Jr. vs. Eric Spicely
Paulo Borrachinha vs. Oluwale Bamgbose